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Technology in Society Courses 2023-24

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The Technology in Society Requirement

Engineering is a deeply social activity. It is shaped by social values, interests, and priorities; is increasingly practiced in complex social groups; and its fruits have important social effects in the political, economic, and cultural realms. Hence, the School of Engineering believes it is important that practicing engineers understand their ethical and social responsibilities. To this end, all undergraduate engineering majors must take one course devoted to exploring ethical and social issues and responsibilities arising from the interplay of engineering, technology, and society. 

Note: CE majors must take CEE 102A; MS&E AND ME majors must choose from among the courses marked “X” in the major columns. Students in other majors may choose from any of the following courses, although only CS and EPHYS majors may use CS 182W. 

WIM Note: Check individual major requirements to determine which courses will fulfill the University Writing in the Major (WIM) requirement .

CourseTitleQtrWAYS**UnitsCEMS&E ME
AA 252Techniques of Failure Analysis (for senior engineering students only)S-3 X   X
ANTHRO 132C (CSRE 132C)Technology and Inequalitynot offered 23-24EDP5   
ARCHLGY 151 (CLASSICS 151)Ten Things: An Archaeology of DesignWA-II or SI3   
BIOE 131Ethics in BioengineeringSER3 X   X
BIOE 177/DESIGN 259Inventing the Future (limited enrollment; admission is by application)W 3   
CEE 102ALegal & Ethical Principles in Design, Construction, and Project Delivery (this is the only option for CE majors)W 3XX 
CEE 145EEquitable Infrastructure SolutionsW 3   

CEE 177X+177S/

ENGR 177A/177B

ENGR & Sustainable Development

(the 2-quarter sequence taken for at least 3 units each)

no longer offered 3/3   
CLASSICS 168 (ARCHLGY 168)

Engineering the Roman Empire

(Take for 5 units to fulfill TiS)

SA-II5   
COMM 120WDigital Media in SocietyASI5 XX
COMM 166Virtual Peoplenot in 23-24SI5   
CS 125 (new SPR 24)Data: Algorithms, Tools, Policy, and SocietyS 3   
CS 152Trust and Safety EngineeringW,S 3 X 

CS 181 or 

CS 181W

Computers, Ethics and Public Policy

(WIM version; available only to CS or Engineering Physics majors

SER4 X   X
CS 182Ethics, Public Policy, & Technological Change (Prerequisite: CS 106A/AX)not in 23-24ER5 X 
CS 182WEthics, Public Policy, & Technological Change (WIM for CS & EPHYS majors only) Enrollment limited to 100 (Prerequisite: CS 106A or AX) ER5   
CS 256Algorithmic FairnessW 3   
CS 278Social Computing (SOC 174/274)S 4 X 
DATASCI 154Solving Social Problems with DataS 5   
EARTHSYS 125Shades of Green: Redesigning and Rethinking the Environmental Justice MovementsWED4 X 
ENGR 117 will not count if taken 2019-20  due to reduced units )Expanding Engineering Limits: Culture, Diversity, and Gender (must take for 3 units and for a letter grade to count as TiS)W          ED          3 (must take for 3 units)            X 
ENGR 145Technology EntrepreneurshipW 4   
ENGR 148/248Principled Entrepreneurial DecisionsA,WER3 X 
ENERGY 177A+B (take for 3 units each)Engineering & Sustainable Development: Toolkit + Implementation W+SER3+3   
HUMBIO 174Foundations of Bioethics (NEW: all SoE majors except as restricted within specific programs are now allowed to use this course)WER3----X
MS&E 193Technology in National SecurityASI4 XX
ME 267Ethics and Equity in Transportation Systems (if taken in previous years; no longer offered after 2021-22)    X   X
POLISCI 114SInt’l Security in a Changing WorldWSI5 X 
PUBLPOL 114Spies, Lies, and Algorithms SI5   
PUBLPOL 134Ethics on the Edge: Business, NPOs, Gov't, & Individuals (must take for a letter grade)SER3   
STS 1The Public Life of Science and TechnologyWA-II OR SI4 X 
STS 200JTechnometabolism: Technology, Society, and the AnthropoceneA 4   

**WAYS: A-II = Aesthetic/Interpretive Inquiry; CE=Creative Expression; ED=Engaging Diversity; ER=Ethical Reasoning; SI= Social Inquiry